旭化成、三井、三菱，成立新公司！中石化、巴斯夫已布局

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the collaboration between major Japanese chemical companies to establish a limited liability partnership focused on carbon reduction and capacity optimization in ethylene production, aiming for a green transition by 2030. Group 1: Industry Overview - Ethylene is one of the largest chemical products globally, with its production process accounting for 1.8% of global industrial emissions, primarily due to high-temperature energy consumption in steam cracking furnaces [5]. - Japan is the third-largest ethylene producer globally, with a current capacity of approximately 10 million tons per year, but its carbon intensity is 20%-30% higher than that of Europe and the U.S. [5]. - The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) plans for the chemical industry to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 [5]. Group 2: Collaborative Efforts - The three companies have initiated discussions on specific measures to promote carbon neutrality in ethylene production facilities, focusing on transitioning raw materials from traditional petroleum sources to biomass-based materials and introducing low-carbon fuels [7]. - They aim to optimize production frameworks, including potential capacity reductions for more efficient resource utilization, leading to the establishment of the LLP as a means to deepen collaboration and accelerate goals [7]. Group 3: Technological Innovations - Asahi Kasei has developed a "lignin cracking technology" that can convert paper waste and other biomass into ethylene feedstock, replacing some petroleum-based raw materials. Pilot data shows that with a biomass ratio of 20%, carbon emissions can be reduced by 35%, and costs are 15% lower than traditional bioethanol routes [8]. - The production of bio-based ethylene opens a new pathway, utilizing renewable biomass resources through various bioconversion and chemical conversion processes [9]. Group 4: Environmental Impact - The CO2 emissions from the bioethanol to bio-based ethylene pathway range from 0.8 to 1.2 kg CO2 per kg of product, representing a 60% reduction compared to petrochemical routes [10]. - The core advantages of bio-based ethylene include the use of renewable raw materials and lower carbon emissions, although significant technological and industrial challenges remain [11]. Group 5: Cost and Economic Considerations - The raw material cost for bio-based ethylene accounts for 60%-70% of total costs, with significant price volatility. The energy consumption of the process is 20%-30% higher than that of petrochemical routes, and the economic scale of single units is less favorable [12]. - Key technological breakthroughs are needed to address high energy consumption in biomass pretreatment, limitations in fermentation conversion efficiency, and high costs in separation and purification [13]. Group 6: Market Dynamics - Major chemical companies are increasingly investing in bio-based ethylene as part of the low-carbon sustainability trend, with companies like Braskem and BASF making significant advancements in this area [14]. - Braskem has produced over 1.2 million tons of bio-based polyethylene since its launch in 2010 and is expanding its production capacity in Brazil [14]. - In China, Sinopec has successfully launched its first bio-based polyolefin product, with a production capacity of 2,500 tons, marking a significant milestone in the domestic market [16].